From Sam Adams to the Steel Train, Miami University students have seen big-name acts visit Oxford this semester. These are artists students would usually have to travel to Cincinnati or Dayton to see.

However, bar owners and students alike are trying to keep the momentum going by bringing more rising stars to Oxford.

Brick Street Bar and Grill owner Will Weisman said the bar tries to bring artists on the rise. O.A.R. visited Brick Street four times in 2000 and Gavin DeGraw stopped by in 2005.

“We are constantly trying to bring the major acts and always have standing offers,” Weisman said. “Once the artist gets to a really high level, it becomes a matter of luck and timing to pull the show off.”

Weisman said he likes to take advantage of the space Brick Street has.

“There are very few college bars in the country that have the size and infrastructure to host these kinds of acts, so we want to make the most of it,” Weisman said. “In the end it’s about offering different experiences for the students and we do our best to make that happen.”

Senior Dan Albert has been very involved in music on campus and around Oxford.

“One of the things I focused on in the past year is to work with uptown bars to try and bring in musical acts and performers for students to see,” Albert said.

One of the shows Albert has helped with is Machine Gun Kelly, who is performing at The Wood’s Bar Wednesday, Nov. 10. This is an artist Albert said he has been trying to get to Oxford for a while.

Albert takes it upon himself to work with uptown bars, secure venues and work with the artists to get to Oxford in addition to putting together everything else for the show, including ticket sales.

Like Weisman, Albert focuses on getting rising artists to come to town.

“I like to choose artists that haven’t become mainstream yet,” Albert said. “I try to get them right before they’re about to become so popular that it’s impossible to get them here.”

In addition to those bigger names, Weisman tries to bring a variety of artists to diversify what shows students can attend without having to leave Oxford.

“While we know that hip hop or rap artists such as Sammy Adams, Bone Thugs, et cetera appeal to a very large demographic at Miami, it is also great to appeal to other pockets of musical interest,” Weisman said. “This semester, we have covered literally every genre from pop, country, rock, blues, hip hop, soul and alternative. It’s really neat to see so many new faces at these types of shows.”

Alan Kyger, economic development director for the City of Oxford, said the amount of visitors has a huge impact on the Oxford community, whether they’re here for a weekend or just a night to attend a concert.

“Sure, they’re going to go to a concert, get something to eat before,” Kyger said. “If they have too much fun, they might even spend the night. All those things help the community.”